It’s I’ll not stand, said Ipson, then no indeed, not I,
Nor, I’ll not stand, said Gipson, I’d sooner live than die.
Then I will stand, said Johnson, I’ll stand the while I can,
I never yet was daunted, nor afraid of any man.
Then Johnson drew his glittering sword, with all his might and main,
So well he laid upon them, that eight of them were slain:
As he was fighting the other two, this woman he did not mind,
She took the knife all from his side, and ripped him up behind.
Now I must fall, says Johnson, I must fall unto the ground,
For relieving this wicked woman, she gave me my death wound;
Oh base woman, Oh base woman, whatever hast thou done,
Thou hast killed the finest butcher that ever the sun shone on.
This happened on a Market Day, as people were riding by,
To see this dreadful murder, they gave the hue and cry,
It’s now this woman’s taken, and bound in irons strong,
For killing the finest butcher that ever the sun shone on.
THE END.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.
WORKS BY JOHN ASHTON.
Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 7s. 6d. each.
A HISTORY OF THE CHAP-BOOKS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. With nearly 400 Illustrations, engraved in facsimile of the originals.